More affordable housing could be provided as developers seek to complete a housing estate which was first approved 12 years ago.

Bellway Homes lodged a new planning application last month for land off Mill Park Drive, between the A120 and Braintree Freeport train station.

The development, known as Heathlands, has taken place in several phases, after initial permission for 177 homes was granted in 2001.

This was followed by further approval for 72 new homes in 2007 Developers are now seeking an amendment to the 2007 application to instead provide 74 homes, including 12 affordable housing units.

Property agent Strutt and Parker, acting on behalf of Bellway, said: “To date both consents have been partially implemented.

“The area of this application is part of an existing residential development that has been developed gradually over the last 12 years.

The current proposals form the final phase of development.”